My Plea for Christian Conservatives to be Consistent (Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act)

My Plea for Conservatives and Even Christians for Consistency towards the Government

Some will do doubt not like what I am about to write.  That's okay.  I am concerned that Christians and (adjectival) Conservatives be consistent.

Christians have an obligation toward the government.  Obey and pray for them.  If you're not being forced to actually sin or actively endorse sin or any manifestations of it then you should be obeying the laws of the land.  The other is simple: pray for your leaders in government (Rom 13, 1 Tim 2).

Now to the main subject--Federal government designed concealed carry permits for the entire country.  See a copy of the article online here: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.  Yes every state will once again have to bow down to the laws made by big brother government.  This is good right?  (Oh, by the way I am a concealed carry permit holder in my own state).  So it's okay to make laws as long as I agree with the agenda, right?

Is it the governments job to tell the states what is right and what is evil?  The question is not whether you can carry your concealed firearm in your own state.  The question is not what reciprocity exists between your state and the ones around it.  The question: Should the government make (even more) laws that tell every state what they can and cannot do?  If the conservatives can do it now then don't complain when liberals do it too (or in the past).  Be consistent.

Step back in time before you answer that question.

I ask my Christian conservative friends the following questions:

1. What is/was DOMA?  Refresher in case you forgot.  Defense of Marriage Act.  The government defined what is a legal marriage.  All the states fell in line.  So when this law made by the government ceased to exist what was your response?  Were you upset, cheering, or sad?  Don't forget big brother government and the Supreme Court forced all the states to comply.

2. What is/was Common Core or even No Child Left behind?  Educators speak up if you remember.  Who designed these for state compliance?  Who made certain scores necessary for federal financial aid?  Whether you like it or not, is this the government's business telling your state what they can or cannot do with education?  Be consistent.

3.  What is/will be the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act?  Again, I'm not asking what your own state allows (remember I have a concealed carry for my own state).  Whoever else acknowledges this up to those states.  It is not mandates by law from big brother government.  So is it good or evil?  Is this yet another place where the government is telling you exactly what you can or cannot do?  You decide.
At least be consistent.

I'm not asking you to be politically correct, conservative, or liberal.  What is the Biblical purpose for government?  Is it to tell all the states what they can and cannot do?

Whatever your response, especially if those decision are in your favor or not, at least be consistent.

Comments encouraged.  Enjoy!!!

Are you overindulging your children? Do you give them "Vitamin N"?

 Are you overindulging your children?  Do you give them "Vitamin N"?

Our society could be dramatically changed by denying our kids the stuff they ask for.
They need to earn it, take responsibility for it, and appreciate it.
This sounds so anti-I deserve it.  Or the world owes me something.
Giving your child everything they want is not love.

Kids who live on parental handouts become Adult who live on government handouts.

Enjoy!!!

Why Did God punish Nebuchadnezzar? Is there a Lesson for Our Nation?

Why did God punish Nebuchadnezzar?  Is there a Lesson for Our Nation Today?

God did not leave the reader without a motive for his actions.  There is no question and no doubt.  Three times God tells us why he punished Nebuchadnezzar.  Of course his human pride is sin and deserving of punishment.  But why was he punished?  Notice the text of scripture from Daniel chapter four:

Verse 17, "to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men."

Verse 25, "till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whom he will."

Verse 32, "until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will." 

Again in chapter in 5:21,  "till he knew that the most high God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will."

Did you catch the repeating patterns?  Simply put "that...may know."  There is a certain content of knowledge both in person and works which God is intent that all the earth has knowledge.  What two things?  First, God is in absolute control.  He rules as an unrivaled monarchy without democracy or reelection.  Second, He alone tears down and sets up earthly rules according to his own purposes.  He gives countries the leaders they have.  One means by which he does this (at least in our country) is through democratic elections (insert electoral college system).  God has a purpose for what he does and what he allows to happen.  Use whatever adjective you need to for defining the second part (permissive, decree, etc...).

My question is simple:  Is there a parallel for our country in this upcoming election?  Has our country failed here?  Our nation is prideful and rejects the authority of God.  I say this as a soldier who has served our country for nearly fourteen years.  I'm not just an army chair quarterback or a "if I were in charge" opinion creator.  It is saddening to see where our country is heading.  I pray for my children because of the culture they will have to live in and raise their children.

Consider our country:

Want to kill a baby?  Inconvenient?  Redefine life (even the medical folks can get on board).
Want to marry anyone?  Simply redefine marriage (even the lawyers and judges will get on board).
Want to restrain opinions?  Create politically correct speech. Sensor the other's opinion.  Punish for "hate" speech.  Relabel all opinions contrary to your own as "hate" speech.

Do you want leadership that approves or practices the above?  Your choice.  Your vote.

Our nation as whole is in trouble.  Our democratic government has produced what we have now and what or who controls the future of our country.  Just to be clear the format of government does not necessarily produce a better moral product.

I don't mean all doom and gloom but our nation is not on a good course.  Perhaps God needs to completely humble our country.  How will he do it?  What might he do?  Who will he put in charge?  Only God knows.  He will glorify himself.

Hope this helps some.

Comments of course as always encouraged.

The Official Handbook of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy: The Arguments you Need to Defeat the Loony Left By. Mark W. Smith

The above book cover is from a later addition from 2006.  There was also a subsequent edition in 2008.  My reviews are from an earlier edition in 2004.

I would highly recommend this book to the many "conservative" or not so conservative Christians within the broader American landscape (at least of legal registered voters).

The arguments and comments we have all endured over the past months are nothing new.  In fact many of been held by true red-blood republicans for many years.

This book which will serve as the basis for the following comments was published in 2004.  Many of the arguments and comments employed are just as true as when they were first penned (though now 12 years ago).

I would like to list out the table of contents as the following paragraph points with some follow up comments.  I highly recommend this book for talking with those of liberal politically correct slant on life.  The talking points of each chapter are worth their weight in gold.  However I would like to follow up each discussion with some related Biblical comments.  Although, I'm sure there are many who claim the Christian title who would disagree with nearly every chapter.  So here we go.

Chapter one is entitled, "Find your Vast Right-wing conspiracy rating."  So how would you answer the following (I'll updated some of it to fit our current election candidates field) (pp. 3-5)  His answers are multiple choice I'll just leave a blank.

1. The person best qualified to choose my doctor, my child's teacher, what to eat, and whether I should smoke is _______________.

2. When shopping, I am most likely to make an impulse buy of _______________.

3. Fill in the blank:  The government that governs ________________, governs best.

4. Who was the best president of the last thirty years? _______________.

5. Which nations should have nuclear weapons (nukes)? _______________.

6. Who should own guns in America? _______________.

7. Fill in the blank: Taxes should be __________________________.

8. Before America takes any more military action in the war on terror, we should _______________.

9. The military budget should be _______________.

10. What makes you angry? _______________.

11. Which phrase best describes your beliefs _______________.

12. Who gave you your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? _______________.

Depending on how you answer these questions is a good determinate how much a card carrying member of the vast right-wing conspiracy you truly are.

Just to see where you are in the mix I would like to give you a small illustration.

A young 19-year old daughter just returned from her freshman year and big secular state university somewhere.  She returned home and commenced to pontificate wildly on the many grand things she learned.  She boasted of here high test scores and stellar GPA.  Her father however noticed her dismay at the hard work she put in and the seemingly care-free mentality of her college friends (who seemed to spend more time partying than studying).

In the course of discussion the daughter began to talk with her dad about her new eye opening view of liberal politics and social concerns.  She commenced to continue in disagreement with her father on nearly every issue of conservative politics ranging from finances, war, immigration, gun control, moral and ethical issues, and even religious freedom.  He responded with an illustration from her first semester of college.  It goes as follows.

Father: "I'm sure you worked hard for your grades and high test scores and I'm sure you made a great many personal sacrifices to achieve these goals on your own."

Daughter: "Yes."

Father: "Are you still somewhat upset with your friends carefree view of their education?"

Daughter: "Yes."

Father: "So here is what we'll do.  Since you are so concerned about your friends and their bad GPA.  We'll take from your hard earned GPA and give it to those who party and won't study.  That way everyone will have access to the same GPA and test scores."

Daughter: "But that's not fair,  I'm the one who worked hard for the GPA and good test scores."

Father: "Welcome to the Republican Party!"

Stay tuned to the next chapter, "No liberal media bias? Let's get real."

SBC, NPR and Biblical Authority

SBC, NPR and Biblical Authority

What do these have in common?

Well NPR (National Pagan "Public" Radio) just did a radio spot on a recent Gospel-based event in Louisville, KY.  The main individual quoted was SBC president Al Mohler (just for those who need clarification what this event was).

I feel as though for those who heard or didn't hear this radio spot that a few comments are needed.

First, the SBC does not represent Christianity.  It is one denomination within a broader Christian umbrella.  Do I personally agree with the vast majority of what the SBC teaches doctrinally?  Yes, of course it is traditional historic Christian beliefs.

Second, NPR missed the boat.  If you heard the spot it was basically saying the SBC is outdated Christianity out of touch with the moral changes in unbelieving society (think bathroom issues, gender roles, etc...).  They also referenced another church here in the area that left the SBC some 20-25 years ago (over some of these same issues).

Third, biblical authority has to be emphasized above denominational labels.  This authority determines what we belief and how we live.  As far as what we belief goes, the SBC has a great deal of this right (think: orthodoxy).  I disagree with the Reformed Calvinistic slant a great deal of these new cool kids have embraced (both in book, preaching, and lifestyle).

NPR could have spent the whole article focusing on the selective nature of social issues within "conservative" Christianity or the SBC.  They could have addressed why only some sins are addressed when it comes to voting and supposed "conscience" issues--but that will never happen.
They could have talked about the cool-kid evangelical card carrying label just leave out the debated issues for academic respectability--you know literal creation, charismatic gifts, etc...--but that will never happen.  Only an informed insider will know of the inconsistency of belief and practice even within confessing evangelicalism.

Perhaps we need some articles on the following (to help NPR understand the SBC or even evangelicals in general):

How about the following: (rabbit trail)

Why evangelicals can vote with a clear conscience for Mitt Romney (a Mormon) but can't vote for Trump?

Why evangelicals can vote for John McCain (think policies he held to when running against G.W. Bush), but still can't vote for Trump?

We could add other past (Republicans) who were anything but great choices but were still voted in with clear consciences.

Anyway back from the rabbit trail.  The other "baptist" church sited in opposition to the SBC was basically an egalitarian and not complimentarian church in gender roles.  It also had a more inclusive view of other social issues.  Biblical authority was selectively rejected.  The SBC does the same thing just like many other Christian denominations and local churches.

Not meant to solve the issues.

But at least don't hold up the SBC as though it represents Christianity.

Thoughts and comments encouraged.